Smell

[cfl_777]

I have had the hermit crabs for 2 days and I can no longer take this smell. I cleaned the entire tank 2 days ago and it smells as if something has died in my basement. I will be selling my hermit crabs on the classifieds within a few days If I am unable to stop this.

edit: spelling mistake (the isn't spelt thw)

[CrabbyJo]

There is obviously something strange going on with your hermit crab tank. Are you sure all your hermit crabs are alive? ALso, are you using a plastic tank? Perhaps there is something with the tank itself?
If you could give us some details, we could perhaps help you figure it out.
What substrate are you using?
What kind of ornaments do you have in the tank?
what is kept moist in the tank?
What do you treat your water with?
Have you tried pulling out one thing at a time and taking a whiff of it to see what might be causing the smell?
Maybe pull out some substrate and put in a dish and see if that's the smell?
I think the only thing you can do is a process of elimination. It is definitely not usual for a hermit crab tank to smell unpleasant. The most common smell would be from moist coconut fiber, which has more of a rainforest type smell to it, not really unpleasant at all.

Another thought.. what are you feeding your crabs? Some commercial foods stink to high heaven, and nearly all of them are very unsafe for your crabs, as they contain preservatives that are very dangerous for them.
There is a lot of info about how to feed your crabs here: http://crabstreetjournal.com/xoops/modu ... ords=Begin

Let us know what you figure out!

[cfl_777]

There is obviously something strange going on with your hermit crab tank. Are you sure all your hermit crabs are alive? ALso, are you using a plastic tank? Perhaps there is something with the tank itself?
If you could give us some details, we could perhaps help you figure it out.
What substrate are you using?
What kind of ornaments do you have in the tank?
what is kept moist in the tank?
What do you treat your water with?
Have you tried pulling out one thing at a time and taking a whiff of it to see what might be causing the smell?
Maybe pull out some substrate and put in a dish and see if that's the smell?
I think the only thing you can do is a process of elimination. It is definitely not usual for a hermit crab tank to smell unpleasant. The most common smell would be from moist coconut fiber, which has more of a rainforest type smell to it, not really unpleasant at all.

Another thought.. what are you feeding your crabs? Some commercial foods stink to high heaven, and nearly all of them are very unsafe for your crabs, as they contain preservatives that are very dangerous for them.
There is a lot of info about how to feed your crabs here: http://crabstreetjournal.com/xoops/modu ... ords=Begin

Let us know what you figure out!

I have a glass tank, my substrate is specialty sand, I have all the normal ornaments (coconut house, driftwood, rocks, plastic plants), The whole tank is humid 75%.

I'm noy sure what to do. I have taken thing by thing out and the smell is still there. I feed my crabs nutrition pellets and crab cookies but I doubt those would cause this.

[Wai]

The Classifieds section is not for the selling of live animals. However, you may adopt them out in the Adoption Centre as a last resort.

To be honest, if I were you, I would dig out the two hermit crabs just to see if they were okay. Digging out hermit crabs under normal circumstances is NOT a good idea, but if you are convinced that one or both of them has died, it is worth a try.

[cfl_777]

The Classifieds section is not for the selling of live animals. However, you may adopt them out in the Adoption Centre as a last resort.

To be honest, if I were you, I would dig out the two hermit crabs just to see if they were okay. Digging out hermit crabs under normal circumstances is NOT a good idea, but if you are convinced that one or both of them has died, it is worth a try.

As we speak both of them are crawling around so I think that they are fine.

[emmac350]

You shouldn't be feeding them commercial foods. I've never used them before, but they could be the cause of the stink if they aren't changed often, or if the crabs have buried them.

I'm also concerned about the "specialty sand" - what brand of sand is it? I know that Calci-sand can start to smell bad if it's been wet for too long, and that "Hermit Crab Sand" (which is pretty much Calci-sand by a different name) can also start to stink. Neither of those sands supports molting, either, so maybe a sand change will do the trick.

You also need to ensure that there is airflow into the tank - it doesn't have to be much, but it would keep the smell down somewhat. Without oxygen, stuff in the tank can start to ferment (break down without oxygen, like how alcohol is made) and smell pretty bad.

[Wai]

Oh okay, I though both of your hermit crabs were buried. Never mind, we can rule that out.

I think it's your substrate. As Emma asked, what type of "sand" are you using?

[ladybug15057]

The calsi sand as well as the hermit crab sands as Emma mentioned do stink when wet. Many have complained about this in the past.
Also another little note. I have been reading which is true that a lid does need to be opened some on the tank for fresh air to get in. An air 'in' and an air 'out' is best when having a lid open some. But a little note too that hit while I was reading this. I notice the word 'basement' and this seems to me as though there are not windows that would be open? (this would also pertain to other rooms as well) Without opened windows a typical home does not have air movement within their home unless they have a fan on. So to have a lid open for air flow is a little mute. So my suggestion is for air flow to invest in a smaller fan that one can use and set it on osculate so the air in the room does move about. For years now I have had a fan on in the room our tanks are in and have great air flow and no complications. (knocking on wooden desk so not to jinx this)

[Wai]

Also, do your hermit crabs receive any sunlight at all? Keeping them in the dark all the time can't be a good thing.